PREP FOOTBALL Strong second half helps Westminster upend Wolverines

With the win, Westminster moves to 3-4 overall, while Grove City drops to 1-5.
By BILL ALBRIGHT
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
NEW WILMINGTON, Pa. -- After spotting Grove City an early 7-0 lead, Westminster College combined a tenacious defense with an opportunistic offense en route to a 16-7 win over the Wolverines Saturday at Harold Burry Stadium.
Grove City (1-5) broke on top when quarterback Mike Kashurba hit Steve Roberts with an 18-yard scoring pass on the Wolverines' second possession of the game. The 7-0 lead stood up until halftime.
The Titans owned field position, but couldn't punch the ball in for a score.
"That seems to be what we have done all year, and that is move the football, but not be able to finish," said Westminster coach Jerry Schmitt. "That was our story in the first half and it took a lot for the kids not to get frustrated at halftime and be able to come out and play better in the second half."
Grove City coach Chris Smith said it was to difficult to constantly play with a long field.
"Field position was a big factor, especially in the second half," he said. "It seemed that we were always on the 7 or 10, and when you start there, it makes you hold your hand a little close to your chest."
Striking back: The first Titans' touchdown covered 69 yards on a pass from quarterback Mike Robison to wide receiver Brian Lipiello. Lipiello split a pair of receivers, bobbled the ball for about 5 or 10 yards, then hauled it in before racing to the end zone. The PAT attempt by Josh Simpson was blocked to keep Grove City ahead 7-6.
Lipiello was a backbreaker for the Wolverines, Smith said.
"But those things happen, and if you are going to win, you have to overcome them."
Following an exchange of punts, the Titans marched down the field and Simpson delivered a 32-yard field goal to give Westminster a 9-7 lead.
With his offense decimated by injuries, Smith knew his squad had its back to the wall against the Titans defense.
"They were very good," said Smith of Westminster's defense. "They timed things up well, their schemes worked well and with all of the guys out, our running attack was not up to our norm.
Still need work: "Usually if someone stunts a lot against us, we have been able to pop a back out and come up with a big play. But with our top three or four running backs out, we were in trouble. The kids who were in there worked hard, but they were just not ready yet."
The Titans held Grove City to 3 yards rushing and 94 passing.
"To see them on the field the way they were running and hitting, playing great fundamental position football, was just an outstanding job on their part," said Schmitt. "We had that type of effort at Geneva when we won that game and that was a defensive battle. It has been a few weeks since we had that kind of pass rush, so it was good to get it back."
Westminster's Mike Cubellis blocked a Grove City punt, and three plays later, reserve quarterback Kevin Huber tossed a 4-yard scoring pass to Lipiello.